There's No Place Like Home For Quinnell

14 February 2002 20:04

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Wales captain Scott Quinnell has revealed how he relied on his young family to help erase the bitter memories of Wales' heavy defeat against Ireland.
The Llanelli No 8 is poised to spearhead the Welsh bid to salvage some Six Nations pride after the Lansdowne Road debacle with a morale-boosting win over France at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
The "Mighty Quinn" insists the only way he can shrug off such a disappointment is to return to the stability of his family - wife Nicola and their three children.
"I go home and see my kids and they bring me back down to earth," said the Welsh skipper.
"It doesn't matter whether I am going through the highs or lows in rugby, they are exactly the same with me and certainly help me to recover from the negative moments.
"I am lucky I have got stability in my life and can switch off from rugby. I can have time away from the game, which I think is very important.
"My family have always been a great source of support for me and that is something which helps to motivate me."
Widely regarded as the world's best No 8, Quinnell highlighted the difficult 10 days Welsh rugby has had to endure but vowed they would bounce back.
He will lead a team showing just three changes from the side that slumped in Ireland and will be hoping to improve a record of three Six Nations defeats in five starts at the Millennium Stadium - all by record margins.
"It's been a very difficult 10 days but that is the nature of sport. You've got to cope with it and try and turn the negatives into positives," added Quinnell.
"It is a time to get much closer as a squad and hopefully bring the best out of each other.
"France is going to be a very difficult game but we will be giving one hundred per cent in an attempt to reverse our fortunes."

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